Vacuum cleaner construction



VACUUM CLEANER CONSTRUCT ION Filed Sept. 7, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 74 M 2 I n WI 11 I so .40 a; I

, 11v VENTOR E. E. CZa 761766 19. Brac A TTORNE Y5 Jan. 14, c A BROCK v VACUUM CLEANER CONSTRUCTION 4.Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. '7, 1939 E INVENTOR 3/6/4119) 1;

TTORNE Y$ Jan. 14, 1941. c. A. BROCK VACUUM CLEANER CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept; '7, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 11v VENTOR 62'4219274'8 fl. Brae/P, B Y

qfmc TTORNE Y5 Jan. 14, 1941. c. A. BROCK VACUUM CLEANER CONSTRUCTION F iled Sept. 7, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 0 a M g 5 M M R MN M 6 Vr T mzw ny 6 W2 8/ W Patented Jan. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Rexair, Inc., Detroit,

Delaware Mich., a corporation of Application September 7, 1939, Serial No.-293,7.9Q

15 Claims;

This invention relates to vacuum cleaners and .the present application is a continuation in part of my co-pending application, Serial No; 130,920, filed March 15, 1937.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner construction which is easily handled, extremely simple in construction and at the same time is very efiicient in operation.

Another object of the present invention comprises the provision of a vacuum cleaner construction in which the dust separating unit is enclosed in a relatively small unitary housing serving to house all of the operating mechanism. A flexible conduit serves to connect the housing with any one of a number of various kinds of cleaning nozzles in order that a substantial area or surface may be cleaned without the necessity of moving the dust separating unit. Further, however, the dust separating unit is so constructed that it may be conveniently moved if desired.

The dust separator unit consists of a unitary structure and includes a main body portion in which is mounted a motor, a multi-stage fan driven thereby, and a rotary dust separating member projecting downwardly therefrom which dust separating member is also driven bymeans of the motor. This central housing member is sealed to and mounted upon a sup-porting base which constitutes a dust receiving pan. The housing member also includes an air intake port which provides means for releasably connecting the flexible conduit which communicates with the cleaning nozzle and this port provides a direct communication with the pan or base member of the apparatus whereby dust laden air may be directly introduced to the base of the cleaner and the dust separated from the air as the air is passed axially upwardly through the central housing.

The provision of this intake port in the central housing member is considered an extremely important feature and the object of the present invention inasmuch as it makes possible the removal of the dust receiving pan which constitutes the base member of the apparatus, without disturbing the connection of the nozzle therewith whereby the pan may be conveniently emptied and the separated dust disposed of.

The upper end of the housing member is provided with a generally cylindrical axially disposed projection which serves to provide means for mounting a filter which serves to process the air further immediately before its discharge.

The upper end of the housing is provided with a dome-like cover interiorly of which is rigidly secured a vented dome-like member adapted to enclose and surround the filter and limit the expansion thereof. The cover member is provided with a'discharge opening to which a suitable flexible hose may be connected in the event it is desired to use the apparatus as a blower. 5

It is an object of the'invention to provide a cleaner of the type described in which all of the operating mechanism which serves to efiect the separation of the dust'from the air is mounted inan-d carried by the'central housing member as an integral unitary structure.

It is a still further objectof the present 'inven-, tion to provide a top or cap member releasablysecured to this housing which cover member serves the purpose of enclosing and confining the filter member mounted upon the main housing and which cover member is releasably secured and sealed to the .housing in order that access may be conveniently had to the filter compartment.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a pan-like base member serving to support the entire structure as a whole, which pan-like base member serves the purpose of collecting the dust separated by the mechanical dust A separator and which base member is releasably sealed to the main housing member in order that it may be conveniently removed in order that the dust accumulated therein may be disposed of.

Still further, the invention contemplates the provision of a plurality of integrally formed legs or projections on the main housing member which projections serve the purpose of guiding the basemember into position with respect to the central housing member in order to facilitate the securement of these two members together and it will be readily appreciated that these legs incidentally serve the purpose of supporting the housing member upon the floor or other surface in order that the mechanical dust separator which projects from the bottom of the main housing member will be protected when the dust pan or base member is removed from the housing.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved vacuum cleaner construction having an improved construction for removing the foreign materials from air as such air is processed by the vacuum cleaner construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved vacuum cleaner construction having a pair of centrifugal dust separator elements associated therewith in an improved and novel manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved vacuum cleaner constructions having an improved and novel form of dust separator element associated therewith which may be used either alone or in combination with another separator element to facilitate the removal of dust from dust laden air as such air is processed by said vacuum cleaner.

The invention generally contemplates the provision of many features of construction which makes possible the construction of an extremely simple, efficient and practical vacuum cleaner, one which will occupy a relatively small amount of space and one which can be cheaply and easily manufactured.

Many other and further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become clearly apparent from the following specification when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a vacuum cleaner embodying the improvements of the present invention, illustrating the same with a dust conducting conduit and nozzle connected thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through the vacuum cleaner shown in Fig.

1, with portions broken away illustrating in detall the interior construction and arrangements of parts thereof.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line H of Fig. 2 illustrating in detail the cross-sectional configuration and construction of the filter compartment of the upper end of the housing.

Fig. 4,. is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2 illustrating in detail the manner in which the motor is associated with the blower housing and the manner in which these members are disposed within the casing.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 illustrating in detail the manner in which the stator of the motor is cut away in order to permit passage of air therethrough. r

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line C- of Fig. 2 illustrating in detail the cross-sectional configuration of the third stage fan.

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view similar to Fig. 6 taken along the line |--'I of Fig. 2 illustrating in detail the construction and arrangement of the vanes interiorly of the pump.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken through the wall of the separator element illustrating the configuration thereof.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view taken substantially on the line 9-4 of Fig. 2 illustrating in detail the connecting means for the hose or flexible conduit which communicates with thenozzle of the cleaner.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevational view with parts broken away illustrating parts in cross section of a modified form of vacuum cleaner With more particular reference to the drawings, it will be seen that the specific form of the improved vacuum cleaner construction illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 and 11 of the drawings and described below includes a number of novel features which together cooperate to provide an extremely simple, easily fabricated, and easily assembled structure which is relatively compact, light in weight, easily handled, and substantially foolproof in operation. It will further be readily understood that many of the improved features disclosed in the present application will find broad and practical utility in many and various constructions departing substantially from the specific form of the invention illustrated in the drawings but falling within the generic spirit 'and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The apparatus disclosed comprises a substantially cylindrical main housing l which has a sheet metal cover or closure I8 for the upper end thereof which is removably mounted on the housing and retained in sealed relation with respect thereto by means of an annular resilient packing member I1. This cover member it has an upwardly extending substantially cylindrical pro- Jeotion IS in the central portion thereof which projection is provided with a plurality of apertures l9 in the axial end thereof which apertures serve to provide an outlet for the air passed through the housing by the pumping mechanism hereinafter described in detail.

Interiorly of the housing I! is mounted a blower and motor unit which is preferably supported by and enclosed in a generally cylindrical casing 20. This casing 22 has a reduced diameter portion 2| at its upper end and in which is permanently mounted the stator or field 22 of an electric motor. The upper end of this casing 2| is preformed to provide bearings 23 for the shaft 24 of the motor on which shaft is mounted the rotor 2 adapted for rotation interiorly of the stator 22, as is conventional in constructions of this general character.

Also as is conventional, the motor includes an armature 21 with which cooperate brushes 28 urged-against the armature by means of compression coil springs 29. in such a manner'that the members making up the stator leave relatively large recesses 30 between the stator and the walls of the casing to provide axially extending passages for the air from the blower described below, through the motor. These passages 30 not only serve to provide ample outlets for the air discharged from the blower but serve to bring this air into relatively intimate contact with the motor parts in order to maintain the motor properly cooled during the operation thereof.

The shaft 24 of the motor extends downwardly and has secured thereto three axially spaced 1mpeilers I5. One of these impellers is shown in detail in the sectional view, Fig. 6. The impellers include substantially circulars sheet metal discs 36 which discs have axially extending spirally disposed blada 31 secured thereto. The discs are maintained in predetermined axial position on the shaft 24 by means of bushings 3i and the radially inward portions of the discsmay be strengthened and supported by means of washers 30 in order that the discs will be maintained in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 24 during the operation of the device. Cooperating with the-impellers 35 arev vane struc- The stator 22 is formed tures interiorly of the :pump casing whichtogether with the impellers serve to provide a multi-stage pump or fan. These vane structures include three superimposed sheet metal stampings 40 which have axially extending vanes 4| secured to and projecting from the lower sides thereof which vanes serve to support sheet metal discs 42 which discs have their outer peripheral edges spaced from the stampings 40 and their inner peripheral edges lying closely adjacent the surface of the bushings 38.

The stampings 40 have relatively large apertures in the central portions thereof in order to provide an annular vent surrounding the bushings 36 and, as will be clear from reference to Fig. 2 of the drawings, when these stampings 40 are telescoped within the housing 20, a tortuous passage will be provided for the air passing through the housing. The lower end of the housing is provided with a cover plate 50 having a flange at its peripheral edge adapted to mate with a complemental flange 5| formed on the lower end of the housing 20. This plate 50 may be secured to the housing by means of suitable bolts or screws (not shown). The plate 50 carries on the central portion thereof a. ball bearing assembly 53 which serves to provide a bearing for the lower end of the shaft 24 and adjacent the bearing assembly the plate 50 is provided with an annular series of apertures 55 through which air may be supplied to the multi-stage fan assembly described above.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that as the motor is run the impellers 35 will all be rotated with the shaft 24 and, due to their centrifugal action, the blades 31 thereof will serve to drive the air in the blower housing outwardly away from the axis of the rotation of the shaft. The sheet metal stampings 40 which make up the vane structure interiorly of the casing provide an annular intake opening for each of the impellers on the lower side thereof adjacent the shaft and an annular outlet for each of the impellers above the outer ends thereof. Consequently, as the shaft is rotated, air will be rapid ly drawn through the openings 55 and upwardly through the pump housing through the ducts 30, past the motor thus serving to cool the same, and this air will be discharged through the openings [9 in the projecting portion of the cover plate l6.

In this embodiment of the invention, the mechanical dust separator unit includes a pair of separator elements 60 and 6|, both of "which are rigidly secured to the lower end of shaft 24 in driving relation therewith, so that upon rotation of said shaft, both of the separator elements rotate therewith.

The dust separator element 60 is preferably of the form disclosed and claimed in applicant's copending application. Serial No. 152,070, filed July 6, 1937, now Patent #2,188,031, issued Jan. 23, 1940. This dust separator element 60 preferably has frusto-conical walls, which walls preferably are of corrugated form having the corrugations extending helically. The element 60 is provided with slots 65 in the bases of each of the corrugations. Consequently, it will be apparent that as rotation of this separator element takes place at high speeds, the air entering the fan housing through the apertures 55 must be drawn through the slots 65 in the separator element.

The element 60 is secured to the lower end of shaft 24 by means of a screw 63 which extends through a central opening in the closed face of element 60.

The separator element 6| is generally in the form of a disc having a central hub portion 64 which embraces shaft 24 and is suitably secured thereto for rotation therewith. The element 64 may be retained in its position by means of a nut 66 which is threadably received over the lower end of shaft 24. The member 6| may be a sheet metal stamping and is formed to provide upwardly directed portions 61, and downwardly directed portions 68, which cooperate to provide upwardly and radially outwardly directed air passages 69. The portions 6'! and 68 of the passages 69 are so formed and are spaced radially outwardly from the openings 55, that the air passing through passages 69 must sharply reverse its direction in order to pass through openings 55.

The element 6| has radially extending vanes 62 formed thereon, integral with the upper surface thereof, which have a double function as will hereinafter be pointed out.

The separator element 60 serves to separate the dust, or other foreign material, from the air as such air is passed into and through the vacuum cleaner construction in the manner described in the applicant's co-pending application Serial No. 152,070 abovementioned now Patent #2,188,031 issued Jan. 23, 1940. After the air passes through the slot 65 in separator element 60, such air then passes through the upwardly and radially outwardly directed passages 69. In order to pass through openings 55, it will be seen that the air must sharply reverse its direction of flow inwardly; and, in the event that such air includes any foreign materials, such foreign materials, being heavier than the air, and due to the construction of the separator element 6|, will be thrown'radially outwardly. This is due to the formation of the passages 69 in combination with the fan blades 62.

The separator element 6| not only serves to separate the dust from the air, but also serves to provide an air seal between the separator unit and the'cover plate 50 of the fan housing. The radially extending vanes 62 serve to provide a uniform outward flow of air through the space between the top surface of the separator element 6| and the cover plate 50, thus precluding the entry of air to theentries or ports 55 through this space. All of the air entering openings 55 must therefore pass through separator element 60 and through passages 69 of separator element 6|.

It will be apparent from the foregoing, therefore, that the air entering the ports 55 will'be processed and relatively dust free. Due to the fact that the vanes 62 cause an outward fiow of air in the space between the separator element and the plate 40, the entry of unprocessed air into the system at this point is precluded.

The upper surface of the flange on the peripheral edge of the partition plate 50 is provided wtih an annularly extending recess of substantially semi-circular cross section and the lower surface of the flange 5| on the housing 20 is likewise provided with a complemental annular recess of semi-circular cross section. A rubber supporting ring 10 having the inner marginal edge thereof formed to provide an enlarged bead adapted to be received and clamped between the flanges on the plate 50 and housing 20. This resilient supporting ring serves to provide a tight seal between the plate 50 and housing 20 and extends outwardly radially therefrom and has its outer marginal edge clamped between a ange 14 formed on the lower edge of the housing II and into the dust receiving pan 85.

a ring 15 which may be secured thereto by means of an annular series of screws I5. This resilient supporting ring 10 serves to support the entire motor and dust separator unit within the casing ,I5 and it will be seen that the ring provides an extremely resilient support for this entire assembly. The ring I0, in addition, provides a tight seal for the housing I5 at the lower side thereof.

The ring I5 is preferably formed from a casting adapted to matevwith the casing I5 around the entire lower marginal edge thereof and at one of the sides. This ring is provided with a projection providing relatively large opening 80 with which opening is associated a spring pressed catch 8I whichserves the purpose of releasably mounting a flexible conduit 81 which communicates with the dust collecting nozzle 83 of any suitable conventional construction. The lower side of the ring 15 is formed to provide a downwardly presented channel in the base of which is seated a resilient backing r nember 84 which is adapted to engage the upper marginal edge of a sheet metal dust collecting pan 85 which forms the base of the vacuum cleaner structure. Suitable releasable catches 88 are mounted on the walls of the housing I5 which catches serve the purpose of engaging the dust collecting pan 85 to lock the marginal edge thereof against the gasket 84 in the channel of the ring 15 providing a tight seal between the ring and the dust receiving pan.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that as the motor is run, air will be drawn inwardly through the nozzle 83, conduit 82, and port 80 This air will then be drawn inwardly through the slots in the mechanical dust separating element, removing the dust from the air. The dust thus removed will be collected in the pan 85. The processed air will be forced upwardly through the multi-stage fan, the ports 30, and to the upper portion of the casing I5 where it may be discharged through the ports IS in the upper end thereof.

Due to the tremendous suction developed by the multi-stage fan, it will be apparent that while the device is running, a substantial pressure differential will exist between the housing I5 and the dust pan 85. This pressure differential will serve to tension the resilient supporting ring 10 and maintain the entire motor, blower, and separator unit in floating condition within the casing I5, thus greatly deadening the sound of the operation of the device and virtually eliminating the transmission of any vibration from the motor or pump to the outer casing I5.

The housing I5 is'provided with a plurality of projecting legs 88 which may conveniently be formed integrally with the housing and which extend downwardly and overlie the dust pan 85.

Consequently, it vwill be seen that when the catches 88 are released, the entire device may be conveniently removed from the dust pan 85 and may be supported upon the legs 88 thus maintaining the mechanical dust separating cone 60 in spaced relation with respect to the floor or other surface upon which the device may be placed.

It will be further undertsood that the construction provides one in which the dust pan,

when disconnected, is an entirely separate elei .ment and may be conveniently emptied without thenecessity of disconnecting the conduit 82 thus greatly simplifying the disposal of'dust accumulated by the apparatus.

The upper end of the main housing I5 is closed by means of a cover of composite construction including a casting I00 which serves to carry a sealing gasket IOI adapted to mate with the upper surface of the closure member I8. This cover I00 is generally domed and is provided with a relatively large outlet aperture I02 which may, if desired, be provided with suitable means for connecting a conduit (not shown) in the event it is desired to utilize the device as a blower. In' its upper surface, the cover member I00 may be provided with a pair of projections I03 which serve to provide means for anchoring a bail or handle I05 to make handling of the device as a whole convenient. In order to enhance the appearance of the device as a whole, the casting forming this domelike cover may be enclosed by a sheet metal shell I05 secured in position thereon and finished in the same manner as the main guard is preferably so constructed and arranged that it is substantially spaced from the walls of the cover I00-and serves to enclose a fabric filter- IIO which may be formed of suitable material such as is conventional in devices of this general character. This filter has the mouth thereof provided with an endless resilient spring II and it will be seen that when the mouth of the bag is slipped over the projecting portion I8 of the closure member I8, the spring will serve to retain the bag in position thereon. The apertured guard serves the function of confining the bag within predetermined limits and it will be seen that air passing out through the apertures I9 in the closure member I8 will of necessity pass through the filter thence into the apertures in the; guard I01 and out through the outlet-port While it has been found that in practice, the mechanical dust separating cone 60 serves to remove an extremely large percentage of the dust from the air passing through the apertures, the filter IIO serves to provide additional means for purifying the air, thus positively collecting any dust which might have been carried through the mechanical dust separator. The covering assembly as a whole is secured in position on the housing by means of a pair of diametrically opposed releasable clamps III and it will be seen that when these clamps are released, the entire cover, including the guard I0'I, may be removed as a unitthus exposing the filter bag IIO. This construction makes it very easy to remove and clean the filter bag when such is necessary or desirable.

Mounted on the side wallof the housing I5 is a switch box I" which has mounted therein a snap switch II 8 of conventional construction to which is connected 9, cable IIO having at its opposite end a plug I20 adapted to be connected to a suitable source of electric current. Suitable connections (not shown) from the switch'to the motor serve to conduct electric current supplied through the conduit II! in order that the switch may be used to control the operation of the same.

As mentioned above, the separator element 8| may be used either alone or may be used in combination with separator element 60 as described above in connection with the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9. Referring to Figs. 10 and ill, the separator element 6Iis illustrated as being used alone and in this embodiment serves to separate the dust from the air as it passes through the vacuum cleaner construction. In other words, the construction illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 is substantially the same as-that illustrated in Figs.-1 to 9 and 11, except that the separator element 60 is dispensed with. The lower end of shaft 24 may also be removed as illustrated in Fig. 10. In this construction, as the dust laden air passes into the pan member, it is thrown upwardly through passages 69. The dust laden air is then caused to flow upwardly and outwardly through such passages, the walls 61 serving as a baffle. The fan blades 62 cause an outward flow of air in the space between separator elements 6I and plate 50 of the housing; and the action is such that a greater portion of the air is caused to reverse its direction andflow radially inwardly and then upwardly through ports or openings 55. A centrifugal action, however, is effected upon the heavier dust particles so that such particles are thrown radially outwardly through the space between elements GI and plate 50 and are deposited in the pan.

In-Figs. 12 and 13 modified embodiments of the invention are illustrated in which separator elements similar to the element 6| above de scribed are used. As in the embodiment described above, the cone separator 60 may also be used in combination with the separator elements and the construction of the plate 50 illustrated in connection with Figs. 12 and 13.

Referring to Fig. 12, a separator element I is mounted on the lower end of shaft 24. This separator element I30 is generally similar in. construction and function to the separator element 6| above described. It has a central hub portion I32 which is adapted to embrace the lower'end of shaft 24. Shaft 24 is threaded as indicated at I34 adjacent the lower end thereof and is adapted to threadably receive thereover a hexagonal nut I36. The lower end of shaft 24 is provided with a screw driver groove I38 therein so that the shaft 24 may be held while the hexagonal nut I36 is being applied. The nut I36 is adapted to seat within a complementary shaped recess I40, in this embodiment a hexagonal recess, in order to provide a driving connection between the shaft 24 and the separator'element I30. A screw I43 having a knurled head I44 is threadably received within an axial tapered opening in the end of shaftL 24. The separator I30 is held in position through engagement of the head I 44 with the under surface of the hub As stated above, the separator element I30 is generally similar to the element 6| above described, and is generally in the form of a disc. Member I30 may be a sheet metal stamping and is formed to provide upwardly directed inner wall portions I46 which slant upwardly and radially outwardly. The wall portions I46 cooperate with the outer annular edge portions I48 of the disc to provide upwardly and radially outwardly directed air passages I50 which correspond to the passages 69 above described. The innermost 1 edges of the portions I48 adjacent the passages to baille and assist in the separation of the foreign material from the air. The passages I50 are also spaced radially outwardly from the openings so that the air passing through passages I50 must sharply reverse its direction in order topass through openings 55.

The centrifugal element I30 also has radially extending vanes I52 fixed thereon integral with the upper surface thereof, which are similar to the vanes 62 above described. The top edges of vanes I52 first slant upwardly and radially outwardly as indicated at I54, so that the vanes in general follow the contour of the bottom surface of plate 50.

The vanes I52 are also slightly longer than the radius of disc member I 30, so that the tips of the blades I52 project outwardly beyond the peripheral edge of element I30. This provides additional space for the discharge of air outwardly of the blades in back of the pan member; and such distance may be varied within the scope of the present invention.

The plate member 50 is provided with a depending annular flange I56 which is spaced a slight distance from the outer tips of blades I52. The flange I56 is of substantially the same depth as the depth of blades I52. Also, in this embodiment, the inner corner I58 formed by the flange I56 with the plate member 50 is substantially square; and the top edge corner of the tip of blades I52 is also substantially square.

In operation, the air, carrying the foreign materials in suspension, is drawn through the passages I50. In order to pass through openings 55, the air must sharply reverse its direction of flow inwardly and in the event such air includes any foreign materials, such foreign materials will be thrown radially outwardly. A portion of the air is also thrown radially outwardly by the legs andthis latter mentioned portion of air, together with the foreign materials, is thrown back into the pan member through the space between the outer peripheral edge of disc element I30 and the inner side of flange I56.

The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 13 is substantially the same as the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 12 except that the inner corner formed at the juncture between the flange I56 and plate 50, as indicated at I60, is rounded. The adjar cent corner of the tip of blades I52 is correspondingly rounded. This rounding of the corners reduces the eddy effect, so that the efliciency of the machine is increased.

The flange I56 may also be utilized with the construction described above in connection with Figs. 1 through 10, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Also, in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 13, the inner edge of disc portion I 48 adjacent the edge of passages I50 is rounded as compared with] the sharp taper of such portion as illustrated I invention, the scope of which is commensurate with the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A vacuum cleaner construction comprising a base constituting a dust receiving pan, a housing supported on and secured to said pan closing the same, a motor and fan mounted within said housing serving to draw air upwardly from said pan through said housing, and a rotary dust separator driven by said motor and extending downwardly from said housing into said pan serving to process the air moving into said housing from said pan.

2. A vacuum cleaner construction includin in combination, a base comprising a dust receiving pan, a conduit for supplying air to said pan, a housing supported on and secured to said pan closing the same, a motor and fan mounted within said housing serving to draw the air supplied to, said fan through said conduit upwardly through said housing, and a rotary dust separator driven by said motor extending downwardly into said pan serving to process the air moving into said housing.

3. A vacuum cleaner construction including, in combination, a dust receiving pan, a conduit for supplying air to be cleaned to said pan, a

housing supported on and secured to said pan closing the same, a motor and fan within said housing serving to draw air from said pan upwardly through said housing, a rotary dust separator driven by said motor extending downwardly into said pan serving to process the air moving into said housing, and means for releasably securing said housing to'said pan.

4. A vacuum cleaner construction including, in combination, a dust receiving pan, a conduit for supplying air to be cleaned to said pan, a housing supported on and secured to said pan closing the same, a motor and fan within said housing serving to draw air from said pan upwardly through said housing, a rotary dust sep-' arator driven by said motor extending downwardly into said pan serving to process the air moving into said housing, means for sealing the connection between said housing and pan, and releasable means for securing the same together.

5: A vacuum cleaner construction including, in combination, a base comprising a dust receiving pan, housing adapted to be supported on and releasably secured to said pan.to close the same, dust separating means carried by said housing including a rotary dust separator element projecting from the lower side of said housing into said pan, legs formed on said housing projecting downwardly therefrom serving to position said a downwardly therefrom serving to position said housing on said pan, said legs being sufficiently long to afford protection for said dust separating element when said housing is disconnected from said pan, means for sealing the connection between said housing and said pan, and releasable means for securing the same together in sealed relation.

7. A vacuum cleaner construction including, in combination a dust receiving pan, a housing supported on and secured to said pan closing the same, said housing having an intake port formed therein afiording direct communication with said pan, a motor and fan mounted within said housing serving to draw air upwardly from said pan through said housing, and a rotary dust separator driven by said motor extending into said pan serving to process the air moving upwardly from said pan into said housing.

8. A vacuum cleaner construction including, in combination, a base comprising a dust receiving pan, a housing supported on said pan and secured in sealed relation thereto, said housing including an intake port providing direct communication with said pan, a flexible dust transmitting conduit communicated with said port whereby said pan may be removed without disturbing the connection of said'dust transmitting conduit with said housing, a motor and fan mounted within said housing serving to draw air from said pan upwardly through said housing, and a rotary dust separator driven by said a plate member thereon provided with inlet ports therethrough, and a rotary dust separator driven by said motor and positioned below said plate member in said pan serving to process the air moving into said ports from said pan, said separator being in the form of a platelike member having upwardly and outwardly directed air passages formed therein, the outlet end of said passages being disposed radially outwardly from said ports, and radially directed fan blades formed on the upper surface of said platelike member.

10. A dust separator element for use with vacuum cleaner constructions comprising a discshaped member having a central hub portion, one side of said disc-shaped member being the inlet side and the opposite side being the outlet side, air passages formed in said disc-shaped member slanting radially outwardly from said inlet side to said outlet side, and radially directed fan blades integral with said disc-shaped member on the outlet side thereof.

11. A dust separator element for use with vacuum cleaner construction comprising a discshaped member having a central hub portion, one side of said disc-shaped member being the inlet side and the opposite side being the outlet side, air passages formed in said disc-shaped member slanting radially outwardly from said inlet side to said outlet side, and radially directed Tan blades integral with said disc-shaped member on the outlet side thereof, said fan blades extending radially inwardly beyond the outlets of said passages.

12. A vacuum cleaner construction comprising a base constituting-av dust receiving pan, a housing supported on and secured to said pan closing the same, said housing having a lower wall member provided with inlet ports therethrough,

a motor and Ian mounted within said housing serving to draw air upwardly from said pan through said ports, and a rotary dust separator unit driven by said motor serving to process the air moving into said housing from said pan, said separator unit including a disc-like member located below and adjacent said wall, said disc.- shaped member having upwardly and radially outwardly directed passages therethrough, the outlet ends of said passages being disposed radially outwardly from said ports, and radially extending fan blades integral with the upper surface of said disc-like member in the space between said disc-like member and said wall, and a cone-shaped separator element disposed below said disc-like member having the top edge thereof bearing against the under side of said disc-like member, said cone-shaped element having an end wall closing one end thereof and having the conical surface thereof provided with a plurality of slots with the metal between the slots being outwardly rounded.

13. A dust separator element for use with vacuum cleaner construction comprising a discshaped member having a central hub portion, one side of said disc-shaped member being the inlet side and the opposite side being the outlet side, air passages formed in said disc-shaped member slanting radially outwardly from said inlet side to said outlet side, and radially directed fan. blades fixed to said disc-shaped member on the outlet side thereof, the tips of said fan blades extending outwardly beyond the peripheral edge of said disc-shaped member.

14. A dust separator element for use with vacuum -cleaner construction comprising a discshaped member having a central hub portion, one side of said disc-shaped member being the inlet side and the opposite side being the outlet side, air passages formed in said disc-shaped member slanting radially outwardly from said inlet side to said outlet side, and radially directed fan blades fixed to said disc-shaped member on theoutlet side thereof, the tips of said fan blades extending outwardly beyond the peripheral edge of said disc-shaped member, and said fan blades extending radially inwardly beyond the outlets of said passages. 15. A vacuum cleaner construction comprising a base constituting a dust receiving pan, 2. housing supported on and secured to said pan closing the same, said housing having a lower wall member provided with inlet ports therethrough, a motor and fan mounted within said housing serving to direct air upwardly from said pan through said ports and a rotary dust separator element driven by said motor serving to process the air moving into said housing from said pan, said separator element including a discshaped member located below and adjacent said wall, said disc-shaped member having upwardly and radially outwardly directed passages therethrough, the radially inner edges of said passages being defined by upwardly and radially outwardly directed'wall portions, said wall portions terminating above that portion of the disc member defining the radially outward edges of said passages, the outlet ends of said passages being disposed radially outwardly from said ports and radially extending fan blades fixed at the upper surface of said disc-like member in the space between said disc-like member and said wall.

CLARENCE A BROCK. 

